Thyroid disease is present in 2-5 percent of all women and 1-2 percent of women in the reproductive age group. Thyroid problems are common in women who are pregnant.
Several of the thyroid disorders which tend to occur during pregnancy are autoimmune in nature. By this we mean that the body develops antibodies directed against thyroid cells, which then affect the way the thyroid gland functions. Antibodies which damage the thyroid cells may result in lymphocytic thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid), also known as Hashimoto's disease. These damaging antibodies can reduce the function of the thyroid and lead to hypothyroidism. On the other hand, your body can make antibodies against thyroid tissue which can stimulate thyroid cell function. In this case, hyperthyroidism due to over-function of the thyroid (Graves' disease) may be the result.
As you can see, thyroid conditions are a very common health problem, and have great impact on pregnancies and fertility. Not only is thyroid disease related to miscarriage, but subclinical hypothyroidism or positive thyroid antibodies can impact the brain development of the fetus and have been linked to poor intellectual development in the baby. Hyperthyroidism is related to miscarriage and a host of problems such as intrauterine growth restriction. So this is an issue we must take seriously!
Among the many specific recommendations detailed in the guidelines are the following: women with overt hypothyroidism or with subclinical hypothyroidism who are TPO antibody positive should be treated with oral levothyroxine; use of other thyroid preparations such as triiodothyronine or desiccated thyroid to treat maternal hypothyroidism is strongly recommended against; and women with subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy who are not initially treated should be monitored for progression to overt hypothyroidism with serum TSH and free T4 measurements about every 4 weeks until 16-20 weeks gestation and at least once between 26-32 weeks gestation.
The new clinical guidelines focus on several key areas in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disease during pregnancy and postpartum: thyroid function tests, hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, iodine, thyroid antibodies and miscarriage/preterm delivery, thyroid nodules and cancer, postpartum thyroiditis, recommendations on screening for thyroid disease during pregnancy, and areas for future research.
The new guidelines suggest the following:
- Trimester specific tighter ranges for TSH:
Trimester Range
First trimester normal range 0.1 to 2.5 mIU/L
Second trimester 0.2 to 3.0 mIU/L
Third trimester 0.3 to 3.0 mIU/L
2. Women who are already receiving thyroid replacement therapy should increase their dose by 25% to 30% when they become pregnant.
3. The total amount of iodine should be 250 ug from all dietary and supplemental sources.
4. Monitoring is important to ensure that women with hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism are not at risk. TSH should be measured once every 4 weeks until 16 to 20 weeks’ gestation and at least once between 26 and 32 weeks’ gestation.
According to the ATA Statement:
What Should You Do?
While the ATA and endocrinologists debate which research is necessary in the bigger picture, women who are contemplating pregnancy have options to consider:
Pregnant mothers with overt or subclinical hypothyroidism are at an increased risk for premature delivery.
Women who are contemplating pregnancy -- even those without a personal or family history of thyroid or autoimmune disease -- should, as a precautionary measure, get a basic TSH test. This can be done through your doctor, or in many states, you can order your own tests.
Any woman who has a personal or family history of thyroid or autoimmune disease -- should have her thyroid tested prior to becoming pregnant, and again within the first weeks of early pregnancy. She should be tested throughout the pregnant as often as symptoms might indicate, but at least once a trimester. The offspring of mothers with thyroid hormone deficiency or thyroid stimulating hormone elevation during pregnancy may be at risk of mild impairment in their intellectual function and motor skills.
Any woman with a diagnosed thyroid condition should have her thyroid tested prior to becoming pregnant, and again within the first several weeks of early pregnancy. She should be tested frequently throughout the pregnancy, including several times in the first trimester, and throughout the pregnancy as often as clinical signs and symptoms might indicate, but at least once in each of the second and third trimesters. Pregnant women being treated with thyroid hormone replacement often require a 30-50% increase in their thyroid hormone dose.
Women contemplating pregnancy should make sure they start taking a prenatal vitamin that includes not only folic acid, but iodine, before becoming pregnant, and continue taking that vitamin throughout pregnancy. (Note, however, that women taking a prenatal vitamin with iron will need to be careful about separating the vitamins from their thyroid hormone by at least 3-4 hours at minimum, or the iron may make the thyroid hormone less effective by interfering with absorption.)
The ATA called for more extensive research into the nature of these problems, as well as the need for expanded testing programs.
Source:
http://www.thyroid.org/
http://www.OBGYN.net
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